West Ham confirms record-breaking transfer of Declan Rice
Referee Artur Dias speaking with former Republic of Ireland international Declan Rice during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Group D match between England and the Czech Republic at Wembley Stadium in June 2021. Credit: Alex Morton/UEFA/Getty Images
West Ham United's star midfielder, Declan Rice, is set to make a historic move to Arsenal for a British record transfer fee of £105m.
Rice, 24, leaves the Hammers following a total of 245 senior appearances and a triumphant victory in the UEFA Europa Conference League just last month.
This victory ended West Ham's 43-year drought for a major title, capping off Rice's impressive journey with the club which began when he joined the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath at the tender age of 14.
In his tenure at West Ham, Rice was thrice-named the Hammer of the Year in 2020, 2022, and 2023, and earning 43 caps for England since his international debut in March 2019 having previously represented the Republic of Ireland before making the switch.
He was appointed the West Ham United Club Captain in the summer of 2022, leading David Moyes's team to secure only the second major European trophy in the Club’s history.
The Hammers confirmed the departure of their captain in a statement on Saturday bringing the midfielder’s time with the club to a close after ten years.
“You have taken me into your hearts as one of your own from day one,” Rice said in a message to the fans.
“Even when it was just a handful of fans at the Under-18 or Under-23 games, I felt that love, and it has just grown stronger as the years have passed. Playing in front of you has been an honour, we have had such great times together, and you all mean so much to me.
“I want you to know how tough a decision it has been for me to leave an environment that I have loved and cherished so much. Ultimately, though, it has only ever been about my ambition to play at the very highest level of the game.
“Playing on the opposite team to West Ham for the first time will be an unusual experience. I’m not sure yet exactly how I will feel, but I also know you will all understand and respect that my professional loyalties have to now lie with my new Club.
“I will always give 100% every single time I pull on the shirt – because that is how I have been brought up at West Ham, and I’m sure you wouldn’t expect anything else.”
Reflecting on Rice's departure, Joint-Chair David Sullivan said, “I am sorry to see Declan leave us, but I believe that everyone at West Ham United should be very proud of the part we have played in his journey from the Academy of Football at Chadwell Heath to becoming the most valuable young player in English football."
Sullivan emphasised that the club did not want to sell Rice and had made a series of improved, long-term contract offers, but once Rice expressed his desire for a new challenge, the Club felt it was in their best interest to facilitate the move.
Sullivan also added, "Declan will forever hold a special place in the hearts of Hammers fans and everyone here at the Club. We wish him well for the future and he will always be an inspiration and an example to any young player coming through our Academy."
Manager David Moyes echoed similar sentiments, thanking Rice for his commitment to West Ham United and the significant role he has played in the club's recent successes.
“I’d like to personally thank Declan for everything he has done during his time at West Ham United. Obviously it is sad when we say goodbye to someone who has been with us for so long but we must now look forward.
“West Ham United is a huge Club and, as history shows, no player is ever bigger than the Club. Our entire focus now is on building upon the success we enjoyed last season, adding to our talented UEFA Europa Conference League title winning squad as we enter our third consecutive season in Europe, and continuing to develop the best young talent through our successful Academy.”
